There is more ongoing speculation over what moves the Montreal Canadiens could make this off-season, with Pierre-Luc Dubois front and center.
There is more ongoing speculation over what moves the Montreal Canadiens could make this off-season, with Pierre-Luc Dubois front and center.
The Montreal Canadiens will have more salary-cap flexibility this off-season compared to last summer.
CapFriendly indicates they have $9.66 million in projected cap space for 2023-24 with 20 roster players under contract. They can also get $10.5 million in extra wiggle room if necessary by placing permanently-sidelined goaltender Carey Price on long-term injury reserve.
They could be investing around $8 million annually on a long-term contract for RFA Cole Caufield. Nevertheless, GM Kent Hughes should have sufficient room to add a veteran or two to his rebuilding roster if he chooses.
Hughes' solid trade record has sparked speculation he could wheel and deal like he did last summer.
Winnipeg Jets center Pierre-Luc Dubois has been linked to the Canadiens for months. Rather than risk him signing elsewhere in next year's free agency, Sportsnet's Eric Engels speculated they could attempt to acquire the 25-year-old this summer, provided the asking price isn't too high.
Dubois is an RFA with arbitration rights who's a year away from UFA eligibility. The Canadiens could sign him to an extension if they acquire him this summer. However, that move could also mean making room for his new contract by shipping out someone like winger Josh Anderson.
Turning to this summer's UFA market, TVA Sports' Jean-Charles Lajoie suggested Tampa Bay Lightning winger Alex Killorn would be a good fit for the Canadiens. Montreal Hockey Now's Marc Dumont felt New Jersey Devils defenseman Damon Severson would bolster the right side of the blueline.
We don't know if Hughes intends to make a splash in the UFA pool. Killorn or Severson could be out of his reach if they're unwilling to play for a rebuilding club.